Sharing Global Experience to Help Seniors Save Energy
Wendell Porter
Wendell Porter
For Wendell Porter, becoming a Council on the Ageing Queensland Energy4Seniors Champion was a natural continuation of work he had already been doing for many years. Since 2007, Wendell volunteered in the United States helping households understand energy use, reduce costs, and make smarter decisions about their electricity.
When he arrived in Australia, continuing that work felt both logical and important.
“This is what I did back in the States as a volunteer,” Wendell explained. “It seemed important to continue that effort here in Australia.”
Creating a Groundswell of Energy Awareness
While one person’s effort may seem small, Wendell believes the true power of the Energy4Seniors program lies in the collective impact of all the Champions working together.
“Individually it might feel small,” he said. “But our combined efforts have reached thousands of people.”
Those conversations have helped seniors better understand their energy bills, explore different providers, learn about concepts like controlled loads, and make practical changes to their homes to reduce energy costs.
The result is a growing wave of informed consumers who feel more confident making decisions about their energy use.
Helping People Plan for the Future
One memorable interaction involved an elderly couple who believed they had their energy situation completely optimised. They had installed solar panels and were receiving the maximum feed-in tariff.
But when Wendell asked if they had a controlled load connected to their water heater, the conversation revealed an opportunity they had not considered.
He explained that the maximum feed-in tariff would eventually phase out, and that by moving their water heater off the controlled load and instead running it on a timer during the middle of the day, when their solar system was generating power, they could cover most of their hot water heating using solar energy.
This small adjustment could significantly reduce their electricity costs over time.
In another instance, Wendell spoke with a couple who believed they were receiving all available energy concessions.
“They thought they were covered because they had one concession,” he said. “But they didn’t realise that concessions and rebates can often be stacked.”
The couple were likely eligible for additional support they had never considered.
Finding Confidence in a New Country
Although Wendell had years of experience delivering energy education in the United States, stepping into the same role in Australia initially made him nervous.
“I was very comfortable doing this work in the US,” he said. “But I was a little nervous doing it here.”
Those concerns quickly disappeared thanks to the warm reception he received from local communities.
“Australians have been very kind and welcoming,” he said. “They’ve made me feel right at home.”
A Champion With Global Perspective
Wendell’s international experience, technical knowledge, and passion for community education make him a valuable member of the Energy4Seniors Champion network. By helping seniors understand their options and plan ahead, he is ensuring that more people feel confident navigating the changing energy landscape.
And as he continues his work in Australia, Wendell is helping build a stronger, more informed community – one conversation at a time.